IEP Information

It’s time for your child’s IEP meeting, but you’re not sure what to expect. What is an IEP? How can you prepare? Who will be there? How will this help your child become more successful in the classroom? Individualized education plan (IEP) meetings give you and your child’s school a chance to work together to design an educational plan for your child. The goals for your child are the core of the IEP. As a parent, you play an important role in developing these goals.

IEP Basics

What is an IEP?

The individualized education program (IEP) is a legal document that is designed to meet your child’s individual learning needs. The IEP is created through a team effort and is reviewed every year. It guarantees the necessary supports and services to be provided to your child to help him or her be successful in school.

Who can have an IEP?

Before an IEP can be written, entitlement must be determined. By federal law, a team must determine 1) that the child is a child with a disability and 2) that he or she requires special education and related services to benefit from the general education program. Both of these requirements must be met for a child to be entitled to special education.

Who is part of the IEP team?

Team members include:

You, the parent, who has valuable insights and information about your child’s strengths and needs
General education teacher(s)
Special education teacher
A representative of the school who can commit resources
Others such as an AEA staff member, private provider or agency staff member hired by the family. You can also invite a friend or your FEP coordinator
Representatives from transition service agencies, when transition services are being discussed
Your child, when appropriate, and whenever transition is discussed

What are goals?

Goals represent what you and other IEP team members think your child will be able to do in a year’s time. Goals must be written so the teacher can monitor progress by using data. The specially designed instruction used to achieve the goals should be research-based.

The IEP team develops goals based on the student’s educational needs. Goals should help with progress in the general curriculum and may address other concerns, such as language development, behavior or social skills.

Who carries out these goals?

The type of goal written determines who will carry it out. It may be the special education teacher, general education teacher or support person such as a speech-language pathologist. Teams work together to help the student work on a goal.

The IEP team considers the way, to the maximum extent appropriate, to educate your child in the same setting as students without disabilities. Remember, special education is a set of services, not a specific place.

When can you expect progress reports on goals?

The IEP must include a description of how progress will be measured and when reports will be provided. Reports should be issued at least as often as those sent to parents of students without disabilities, usually three to four times a year.

As a parent, you are a critical member of the IEP team. If you have concerns about your child’s progress, talk with his or her teacher. If you still have concerns, provide a written request for an IEP meeting.

Planning for Your Child’s IEP Meeting

Before the Meeting

Build an effective partnership with someone on the IEP team, such as the teacher, principal or AEA staff member.

Write down the things you want to talk about at the meeting. Be prepared to:

Discuss your child’s strengths, interests and preferences.
Identify concerns about your child’s education.
Identify special considerations such as transition, behavior or communication.
Establish priorities to be considered for goal areas.

Send private evaluation reports (i.e., physician, psychologist, etc.) to the IEP team ahead of time so they can be familiar with the information before the meeting.

You may invite someone to attend the meeting with you to provide support. It may be a spouse, friend, Family & Educator Partnership Coordinator or someone who has special knowledge of your child. Let the school know who will be attending.

During the Meeting

You are an important part of the IEP team. You know your child and have valuable information to share with the team. These things include his/her strengths, talents, interests and needs.

Goals will be written based on your child’s educational needs. They may address other concerns such as language development, behavior or social skills.

Be involved and ask questions for clarification.

The IEP team decides how the student will participate in the general education setting and will identify how much time will be spent in each setting. This is referred to as LRE or Least Restrictive Environment.

The IEP must include a description of how progress will be measured and when reports will be provided, usually with report cards. You will receive a copy of the IEP at the meeting. If you do not receive progress reports, contact your child’s special education teacher.

After the Meeting

Talk with the teacher and staff responsible for the IEP goals. Ask what you can do at home to practice the skills and strategies being taught at school.

Review progress reports as you receive them.

The IEP is reviewed at least once a year. However, if you or the teacher feel that your child isn’t making progress or has achieved the goals sooner than expected, a meeting can be scheduled to revise the IEP by sending a written request to the school.

Whenever an IEP team recommends a change in service or placement, a prior written notice (PWN) will be given to you. This gives you time to consider the recommendations.

Contact the Family & Educator Coordinator who serves your district for support before, during or after the IEP meeting.

IEP Planning Form

Below is guidance for your input at the IEP meeting and can be used as a basis for discussion. Share a copy with your child’s special education teacher prior to the meeting.

Child’s Name
Date

My child’s strengths, interests and preferences:
My child needs the most help with:
The most important goal(s) for my child the next year:
Effective strategies or rewards for my child:
Special considerations such as transition, social or behavior issues:
Questions or concerns:
Other information the school should know…